As you may have noticed Capt G and I, aboard Roo Bin Esque, are still down south in Port Phillip Bay. Like migratory birds most yachties head north for the winter months, but this year we decided to try something a little different. Having lived in Cairns for 16 years, and we still call it Continue reading
Tag: sailing
The Whales of Hervey Bay
It’s been a strange old year and, whilst we wish we were on our way to New Caledonia, playing with the whales of Hervey Bay has chased away the blues. These giant curious animals have wallowed and played in the shallows beside us, seemingly happy to check out Roo Bin Esque’s hulls and to allow Continue reading
Weather to go, whether to stay?
So far sailing the coast of Australia has been exhilarating, enlivening, extraordinary, and at time exhausting. Roo Bin Esque has given us a mostly comfortable ride in style, if not at any great speed. We’ve met many amazing people and visited beautiful and remote islands, but now it’s time to step outside our comfort zone. Continue reading
It’s the little things that make the difference.
It’s been a crazy busy week with tradies crawling all over Roo Bin Esque to ensure she’s ship shape for her journey to New Caledonia – and it’s no hardship watching others working! We’ve also had our heads buried in the engine bays servicing the two Yanmar diesels to ensure they’re purring. Whilst we like to sail Continue reading
Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance
As an aviator and a trainer ‘Proper Prior Planning’ has been a mantra I’ve lived by for the last twenty-eight years. It seems it’s going to stand me in good stead for sailing! Graham and I are gearing up for our first blue water cruise to New Caledonia and Vanuatu and, hopefully, Fiji, departing early May if Continue reading
Recharging the batteries at Fraser Island
Slowly, slowly we’re heading south. After a huge week driving from Hervey Bay to Brisbane and back for a meeting we decided we’d recharge our batteries wandering the coast of Fraser Island. The world’s largest sand island has given us many wonderful holidays over the years and it’s always peaceful – perfect for letting go Continue reading
Where did 2016 go?
It’s hard to believe that 2016 has been relegated to the history books and 2017 is already rocketing along. When we left Cooktown last year, heading north to the Flinders Islands in Bathurst Bay, I had every intention of keeping the blog updated. Of course, I should have known that the Telstra map showing coverage Continue reading
Mackay Cay
Mackay Cay is everything we hoped it would be! A pristine coral atoll with nothing but birds for company, surrounded by azure water. And then there’s the snorkelling… So many different fish, gardens of vibrant coral, and even a couple of relaxed turtles who really didn’t care whether we swam along with them or not! I have Continue reading
Cairns to Low Isles
We snuck out of Blue Water marina, disturbing the mirror finish on the water, and headed into the sunrise. The valley to the south of Cairns was hiding in rain, but the sky to the north was clear. There’s a certain tension to every departure. Will the forecast be accurate and our next anchorage welcoming? Continue reading
Heading north
After a crazy, busy month it’s time to head north again. We’ve had a good stay in Blue Water Marina and have managed to catch up with a few of our friends – apologies to those we didn’t manage to connect with… Roobinesque is sitting lower in the water, filled with enough food and fuel Continue reading